A tax-free savings account for children up to the age of 18.
It’s an easy way to build up long term savings for a child, giving them a head-start in life when they reach the age of 18. Our Junior ISA is a cash Junior ISA (NS&I does not offer a stocks and shares Junior ISA).
There is a Junior ISA investment limit for each tax year, set by the Government. See our summary box to find out the limit for the current tax year.
You can split your overall Junior ISA limit however you want between a cash Junior ISA and a stocks and shares Junior ISA.
Once you reach the overall limit, you won’t be able to invest any more until the next tax year.
A child cannot have a Child Trust Fund and a Junior ISA (of any type) at the same time.
A parent or guardian can manage this ISA for a child while they’re under 16. Once the child reaches 16, they can manage their account online.
You cannot make withdrawals from a Junior ISA until the child’s 18th birthday. On this date, the Junior ISA ends and we’ll automatically transfer the money into an adult cash ISA provided by NS&I. We’ll contact the person who manages the account about a month before this happens.
Pay by bank transfer or standing order
Anyone can top up a child’s Junior ISA by bank transfer. All deposits must be from a UK bank account.
Any deposits that would exceed the annual subscription limit will be automatically refunded in full to your bank account, so you may want to check before making the deposit.
Your money will take up to five working days to reach your account. This is because NS&I is not a bank, so we can’t receive payments directly into individual NS&I accounts – they have to go through our clearing bank first.
To cancel, please contact your bank: not NS&I.
Prefer to top up by debit card?
Only the person who manages the Junior ISA can top it up by debit card. Make sure to use your own UK debit card.
Yes, you can. You’ll need to contact your new provider and they’ll arrange the transfer for you – there’s no need to contact us. We’ll always transfer the whole amount of your Junior ISA balance.
If you’re the person responsible for managing the account you’ll need to complete and sign any transfer request form.
Make sure all the details on your new provider’s transfer form are up-to-date and match those used for your Junior ISA account, including your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance Number.
It can take up to 26 days for your previous provider to send the money. As soon as we receive it, we’ll update your balance.
When the child reaches 16, they can manage their savings until their 18th birthday, when the Junior ISA ends. They’ll need to download and print a registration form - this is because we need their signature.
Find out more and download a registration form here:
On the child’s 18th birthday, the Junior ISA ends and we’ll automatically transfer the money into an adult cash ISA provided by NS&I. We’ll contact the person who manages the account about a month before this happens.
If you’re the parent or guardian and you’re still looking after the Junior ISA, please make sure you let your child know what’s going to happen to their account on their 18th birthday. They’ll need to register online to access and manage their new ISA.
They’ll need to download and print a registration form - this is because we need their signature.
Find out more and download a registration form here:
Yes, if you have an NS&I Direct Saver, you can apply online for a Junior ISA and pay for it from your Direct Saver.
If you want to use another NS&I account, just fill out a quick online form and we’ll get it sorted for you. Be sure to have the details of the account you want to switch from to hand.
Switch to a Junior ISA – for a child under 16If you’re 16 or 17 and want to manage your Junior ISA yourself, you’ll need to complete a slightly different form:
Switch to Junior ISA – for 16 or 17 year oldsPrefer the post?
It will take a bit longer, but you can still download and send us a paper form in the post.
We need both the current registered contact and the new registered contact to complete the relevant forms.
If you’re the current registered contact and you want to authorise someone else to be the new registered contact please fill in the form below:
Authorisation form for the new registered contactIf you’re applying to be the registered contact please fill in the form below:
Application form for the registered contactIf the current registered contact cannot complete the authorisation form, please write to us.
Before we can open the Junior ISA, we’ll need confirmation of the child’s identity, and we may also need you as the parent or guardian to confirm your identity and address.
We’ve tried to make this as easy as possible – instead of having to send us documents by post, you can just take a photo of each document we ask for and upload it to our secure website.
Shortly after we receive your application to open an account, we’ll email you to ask you to upload your document photo(s).
Yes – the rate is variable so we can change it up or down from time to time, for example when the Bank of England base rate changes or when rates in the general savings market change. See the customer agreement (terms and conditions) for more details. When the rate changes, we’ll update our website and literature as soon as we can. If the rate goes down we’ll also contact you personally in advance to let you know.
You can open a Junior ISA as a parent/guardian on behalf of your child under 18. You can also open a Junior ISA for yourself if you are 16 or 17.
Please read the summary box and customer agreement (below).
If you are opening a Junior ISA for your child you’ll also need:
Before we can accept your application, we’ll need to check and confirm the identity and address of everyone on the application. To do this, we may ask you to upload or send us some documents.
We’ll aim to open your account in 7 to 10 working days. This can take longer if we need to ask you for identity documents.
Documents that prove your identity and addressJunior ISA
4.00% tax-free/AER, variable
We calculate the interest daily and add it to your account once a year on 6 April.
Yes, the rate is variable so we can change it up or down from time to time, for example when the Bank of England base rate changes or when rates in the general savings market change. See the customer agreement (terms and conditions) for more details.
What would the estimated balance be after 12 months based on a £1,000 deposit?
A £1,000 deposit would be worth £1,040.00 after 12 months, if the interest rate stayed at 4.00% tax-free/AER
This is an illustration only, so it doesn’t take into account your individual circumstances. It assumes that you don’t make any withdrawals or additional deposits during the year.
Our Junior ISA is for children aged under 18 who live in the UK. (Children under 18 who live outside the UK can only hold a Junior ISA if they are dependant of a UK Crown servant.)
For children aged under 16, only their parent or legal guardian can open an account. Children aged 16 or 17 can open their own account, or their parent or legal guardian can open it for them.
You can:
If you want to switch to Junior ISA from another NS&I account or investment, visit:
Switch to a Junior ISA – for a child under 16
No, you can’t withdraw money from any Junior ISA – they are designed as long-term savings accounts to build up a nest egg for the child when they reach 18. (The only exceptions are if the child dies or has a terminal illness.)
On the child’s 18th birthday, we’ll automatically transfer the money to an adult cash ISA from NS&I. The child will then be able to withdraw money. We’ll contact the person who looks after the account about a month before the transfer happens.
The interest earned is tax-free, so it won’t count towards the child’s Personal Savings Allowance.
Find out more about tax and savings
We’ll send you an electronic statement in April each year, showing all your deposits and interest earned.
Tax-free means the interest is exempt from UK Income Tax.
AER (Annual Equivalent Rate) illustrates what the annual rate of interest would be if the interest was compounded each time it was paid. Where interest is paid annually, the quoted rate and the AER are the same.
Please make sure you’ve read our current summary box and customer agreement (terms and conditions) before applying.
Apply nowYou can transfer your child's existing cash Junior ISA, stocks and shares Junior ISA or Child Trust Fund into an NS&I Junior ISA. You can also open or transfer a Junior ISA for yourself if you are 16 or 17.
Please make sure the account you're switching from is in your name.
Please read the summary box and customer agreement (below).
If you are opening a Junior ISA for your child you’ll also need:
Before we can accept your application, we’ll need to check and confirm the identity and address of everyone on the application. To do this, we may ask you to upload or send us some documents.
We’ll aim to open your account in 7 to 10 working days. This can take longer if we need to ask you for identity documents.
Documents that prove your identity and addressWe’ll then contact your previous provider to arrange the transfer. This can take around 7-10 working days to process, although the money take up to 26 days to be transferred.
Junior ISA
4.00% tax-free/AER, variable
We calculate the interest daily and add it to your account once a year on 6 April.
Yes, the rate is variable so we can change it up or down from time to time, for example when the Bank of England base rate changes or when rates in the general savings market change. See the customer agreement (terms and conditions) for more details.
What would the estimated balance be after 12 months based on a £1,000 deposit?
A £1,000 deposit would be worth £1,040.00 after 12 months, if the interest rate stayed at 4.00% tax-free/AER
This is an illustration only, so it doesn’t take into account your individual circumstances. It assumes that you don’t make any withdrawals or additional deposits during the year.
Our Junior ISA is for children aged under 18 who live in the UK. (Children under 18 who live outside the UK can only hold a Junior ISA if they are dependant of a UK Crown servant.)
For children aged under 16, only their parent or legal guardian can open an account. Children aged 16 or 17 can open their own account, or their parent or legal guardian can open it for them.
You can:
If you want to switch to Junior ISA from another NS&I account or investment, visit:
Switch to a Junior ISA – for a child under 16
No, you can’t withdraw money from any Junior ISA – they are designed as long-term savings accounts to build up a nest egg for the child when they reach 18. (The only exceptions are if the child dies or has a terminal illness.)
On the child’s 18th birthday, we’ll automatically transfer the money to an adult cash ISA from NS&I. The child will then be able to withdraw money. We’ll contact the person who looks after the account about a month before the transfer happens.
The interest earned is tax-free, so it won’t count towards the child’s Personal Savings Allowance.
Find out more about tax and savings
We’ll send you an electronic statement in April each year, showing all your deposits and interest earned.
Tax-free means the interest is exempt from UK Income Tax.
AER (Annual Equivalent Rate) illustrates what the annual rate of interest would be if the interest was compounded each time it was paid. Where interest is paid annually, the quoted rate and the AER are the same.
Please make sure you’ve read our summary box above and the customer agreement before applying.
Customer agreement (last updated on 6 April 2021)
Transfer in from another providerPlease read the below Summary Box below before switching to this account for a child under 16.
Junior ISA
4.00% tax-free/AER, variable
We calculate the interest daily and add it to your account once a year on 6 April.
Yes, the rate is variable so we can change it up or down from time to time, for example when the Bank of England base rate changes or when rates in the general savings market change. See the customer agreement (terms and conditions) for more details.
What would the estimated balance be after 12 months based on a £1,000 deposit?
A £1,000 deposit would be worth £1,040.00 after 12 months, if the interest rate stayed at 4.00% tax-free/AER
This is an illustration only, so it doesn’t take into account your individual circumstances. It assumes that you don’t make any withdrawals or additional deposits during the year.
Our Junior ISA is for children aged under 18 who live in the UK. (Children under 18 who live outside the UK can only hold a Junior ISA if they are dependant of a UK Crown servant.)
For children aged under 16, only their parent or legal guardian can open an account. Children aged 16 or 17 can open their own account, or their parent or legal guardian can open it for them.
You can:
If you want to switch to Junior ISA from another NS&I account or investment, finish reading the information on this page and then use the button at the bottom.
No, you can’t withdraw money from any Junior ISA – they are designed as long-term savings accounts to build up a nest egg for the child when they reach 18. (The only exceptions are if the child dies or has a terminal illness.)
On the child’s 18th birthday, we’ll automatically transfer the money to an adult cash ISA from NS&I. The child will then be able to withdraw money. We’ll contact the person who looks after the account about a month before the transfer happens.
The interest earned is tax-free, so it won’t count towards the child’s Personal Savings Allowance.
Find out more about tax and savings
We’ll send you an electronic statement in April each year, showing all your deposits and interest earned.
Tax-free means the interest is exempt from UK Income Tax.
Gross is the taxable rate of interest without the deduction of UK Income Tax.
AER (Annual Equivalent Rate) illustrates what the annual rate of interest would be if the interest was compounded each time it was paid. Where interest is paid annually, the quoted rate and the AER are the same.
Please make sure you’ve read our summary box above and the customer agreement before switching.
Customer agreement (terms and conditions)
You’ll need the following information to hand:
Please read the below Summary Box below before switching to this account for 16 or 17 year olds.
Junior ISA
4.00% tax-free/AER, variable
We calculate the interest daily and add it to your account once a year on 6 April.
Yes, the rate is variable so we can change it up or down from time to time, for example when the Bank of England base rate changes or when rates in the general savings market change. See the customer agreement (terms and conditions) for more details.
What would the estimated balance be after 12 months based on a £1,000 deposit?
A £1,000 deposit would be worth £1,040.00 after 12 months, if the interest rate stayed at 4.00% tax-free/AER
This is an illustration only, so it doesn’t take into account your individual circumstances. It assumes that you don’t make any withdrawals or additional deposits during the year.
Our Junior ISA is for children aged under 18 who live in the UK. (Children under 18 who live outside the UK can only hold a Junior ISA if they are dependant of a UK Crown servant.)
For children aged under 16, only their parent or legal guardian can open an account. Children aged 16 or 17 can open their own account, or their parent or legal guardian can open it for them.
You can:
If you want to switch to Junior ISA from another NS&I account or investment, finish reading the information on this page and then use the button at the bottom.
No, you can’t withdraw money from any Junior ISA – they are designed as long-term savings accounts to build up a nest egg for the child when they reach 18. (The only exceptions are if the child dies or has a terminal illness.)
On the child’s 18th birthday, we’ll automatically transfer the money to an adult cash ISA from NS&I. The child will then be able to withdraw money. We’ll contact the person who looks after the account about a month before the transfer happens.
The interest earned is tax-free, so it won’t count towards the child’s Personal Savings Allowance.
Find out more about tax and savings
We’ll send you an electronic statement in April each year, showing all your deposits and interest earned.
Tax-free means the interest is exempt from UK Income Tax.
AER (Annual Equivalent Rate) illustrates what the annual rate of interest would be if the interest was compounded each time it was paid. Where interest is paid annually, the quoted rate and the AER are the same.
Please make sure you’ve read our summary box above and the customer agreement before switching.
Customer agreement (terms and conditions)
You’ll need the following information to hand:
If you already have an account with us, you can top it up or transfer in from another provider.
All deposits must be from a UK bank account. Simply give the following details to your bank...
Please make sure you've set up your account before transferring money via your bank.
When you set up your payment, you may receive a message saying 'This account can't be checked' or something similar. This doesn't mean the details you are using are wrong but please check them carefully.
Topped up by bank transfer or standing order? You’ll be able to see the money in your account in 2-3 working days.
For more information on topping up by bank transfer see our FAQs
Top up your Junior ISA using your UK debit card
Top up your accountHow to transfer a Child Trust Fund or another cash Junior ISA
Before you apply, please have the details of your Child Trust Fund provider to hand, including the reference number, or details of your existing Junior ISA provider, including the account number.
When you apply, click Transfer in from another provider and follow the on-screen instructions. Once you’ve submitted your application, we’ll contact your Child Trust Fund provider or existing Junior ISA provider on your behalf to arrange the transfer.
Transfer in from another providerHow to transfer a stocks and shares Junior ISA into an NS&I Junior ISA
Before you apply to transfer, please have the details of your existing Junior ISA provider to hand, including the account number.
Log in at nsandi.com using your NS&I number and password. Click the Transfer in from another provider link in your Junior ISA panel on your homepage and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once you’ve submitted your application, we’ll contact your existing provider on your behalf to arrange the transfer.
You can switch to a Junior ISA from another NS&I account easily online, without having to log in.
You can switch to a Junior ISA from another NS&I account easily online, without having to log in.
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